The Prime Minister Narendra Modi released commemorative coins on Tuesday to mark the 175th birth anniversary of Tata group founder Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata.

The coins are of the denominations of ₹100 and ₹5. The reverse face of the coin bears the image of Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata in the centre, with the inscription "175 वा जन्मदिवस" in Devnagri script on the left upper periphery, "175TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY" on the left lower periphery, "जमशेटजी नसरवानजी टाटा" in Devnagri script on the right upper periphery, and "JAMSETJI NUSSERWANJI TATA" in English on the right lower periphery. The period "1839-2014" is inscribed below the picture of Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata.

It is nowhere recorded in the extant literature how coins were manufactured in ancient India. However, Chanakya, the minister of Chandragupta Maurya, has referred in a passage to the counterfeiters of coins (Kutarupakaraka) in his Arthashastra, the book of state-craft, which was compiled in the 4th century B.C.

Therein, he has given a list of objects that were used in the manufacture of coins. Metals was first melted in cubicles (musha) and purified with alkalis (kshara). It was then beaten into sheets on an anvil (adhikarni) with a hammer (mushtika), cut into pieces with clippers (sandansa) and finally stamped with dies or punches having symbols (bimba-tanka).

Except for the automatic devices, almost the same process is used even today in the manufacture of coins in mints. The actual coins of the period also show that they were cut and clipped to adjust them into proper weights.

The Union Home Minister, Mr.Rajnath Singh released commemorative coins of denominations of ₹5 and ₹125 to mark the occasion of 125th birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru, independent India's first Prime Minister. The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Culture and Tourism, Dr Mahesh Sharma was also present at the launch function.

This marks the first time India is minting the odd denomination of ₹125